*Photograph: Nicholas Rynne.
NORTH Clare’s main artery the N85 has been closed this Wednesday evening following an oil spill and subsequent road traffic accident.
Motorists have reported that an oil spill has led to hazardous conditions from the old Whelan’s Quarry site at Fountain in Ennis all the way to Kilnamona.
Emergency services from the Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are leading the clean-up operation. The units were in situ dealing with the oil spillage prior to a road accident taking place
A section of the N85 in Kilnamona has been closed with a road traffic accident also reported that has left motorists and passengers shaken but with no life threatening injuries after the vehicle went in over a wall. The accident took place at approximately 16:30.
Delays are expected on the N85 throughout Wednesday evening with motorists advised to take care and to consider taking alternate routes.
In November, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) criticised Clare County Council for failing to follow up on intent from six years ago to upgrade a 3km section of road from west of Kilnamona Cross and an additional 1.5km to Whelan’s Quarry.
No funding has been sanctioned for the scheme by TII in 2023, 2024 or 2025 but the energy exerted by Council officials in their bid has also been questioned.
Speaking in the Council Chamber, Cllr Talty stated, “There is no place to overtake, there’s dangerous bends, ongoing crashes and incidents from Kilnamona to Inagh, it is an embarrassing piece of infrastructure”.
He questioned the top table on what roads they were trying to secure funding for and progress. “The intent from December 2019 hasn’t been followed through in six years”.
